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Posted 10/11/2007 at 12:39 PM
We are almost at the half way point in college football and I think it's important to look at some teams that have underachieved and see if those coaches might be on the hotseat. If the heat is getting to these coaches and they either might lose their job or might have to make changes in their staff they might be teams that you either want to stay away from or fade in the coming weeks.
1. Lloyd Carr - Michigan - Just because they have won a few games since dropping their first two games don't think the heat is off. If Carr doesn't win the Big 10 he's either pushed out or bought out of his contract.
The defense has won the last couple weeks because they've faced conventional offenses. When they face spread based offenses the rest of the way they could be in big trouble.
2. Guy Morriss - Baylor - It looked like after three straight wins and a 3-1 record the Bears were improving and on the right path. Since then two blowout losses to Texas A&M and Colorado have put the heat squarly on the coaching staff. In the Texas A&M game the announcers were even openly questioning the offensive playcalling, This team is clearly underachieving and in year number five for Morris he might be out of excuses and realize he could be let go in just a matter of weeks.
3. Bill Doba - Washington State - They finally were competative last week versus Arizona State and probably deserved to win the game but somehow lost despite outgaining the Sundevils by 150 yards. The bar isn't as high here as other places but you still need to go to a bowl every three years. Doba's in year number five and he hasn't had a winning season since year number one. The talent on the team isn't very good and with Oregon, UCLA and California as opponents the next three weeks an upset of one of those teams is essential for him to hold onto his job. The Cougars are 2-4 and must somehow get to 6-6 in order to keep the staff intact. I don't see it happening and they also lose QB Brink to graduation after this year.
4. Phil Bennett - SMU - They could somehow go 3-4 in their last seven games but I don't think it's enough to save his job. Bennett has the Mustangs at 1-4 and they should have won at least two other games. Bennett losses to many close games. His team has some offensive firepower but their defense is bullet riddled and there always seems like numerous injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Bennett better pull a rabbit out of his hat as even he stated they needed a winning record and a bowl appearance this season. In year number six even a 6-6 record like last year won't save him from the firing squad.
5. Houston Nutt - Arkansas - The SEC coach of the year last year might be the first coach fired this season. With possibly the best football player in the country in his backfield the Razorbacks have already lost to Alabama and usual dormat Kentucky. They need to finish 5-2 and beat at least two of the remaining four SEC heavyweights Auburn , South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU for Nutt to escape the chopping block. On top of that distractions over the last year with the loss of QB Mustang, rumors of an affair with a female TV anchor and a new athletic director make Nutt a prime top candidate for the unemployment line unless he can pull of a miracle finish.
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